11-03-2010, 03:20 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New England
Posts: 573
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Agree, most of newer HID ballasts from DDM or any Chinese supplier use digital controller which is much more reliable, runs at lower current (including start-up current) and has built-in safety features.
Generally, halogen bulb runs hotter than 35W/55W HID bulb but since HID bulbs are longer especially for H1s and H3s versions, HID bulb could be located closer to the plastic parts of fog light, which may start to melt.
Sometimes HIDs start to flicker or flash because they consume less energy compared to halogen which freaks current controller in the car. This can be solved by installing resistors, relay, reprogramming or using 55W HID kit instead of 35W. 55W kit consumes about the same energy as halogen bulbs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by m5james
It hasn't been my experience, I've done HID upgrades for customers as well. What others due, their technique and/or corners cut is maybe their situation...I just know I've never had an issue in doing them for the past say 5yrs+ that I've been doing upgrades. My first set was in the 7, purchased through Apexcone about 5yrs ago. All my other sets have either been from hidextra.com or ddmtuning.com, but within the past few years, everything has been through DDM because of their lifetime warranty. The only major changes I've seen with HID's is that ballasts have gotten smaller, more reliable cold starting and their prices have come down considerably compared to when I got my first set. I've even done a H6054 to H4 headlight conversion (instead of replacing the whole headlight, it's now a modern replaceable bulb in the back) in my POS 90 S10 Blazer, and if the wiring in that old thing can handle it without issues for the past 1.5yrs, then I don't see why people are having issues in their newer BMW's. If done right, it's a win win as they also last longer than halogens on top of being brighter and more focused in the correct housing. I can't account for others experiences or installation procedures.
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